Inmate convicted of attempted murder mistakenly freed from city jail

RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) – Officials said a clerical error is to blame for the release of an inmate convicted of attempted murder from the Richmond City Jail last week.

Kelsey Evan Charles

The Richmond Sheriff’s Department said police are searching for Kelsey Evan Charles, who was convicted on Jan. 28 of attempted murder, use of a firearm in attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a violent felon.

A jury sentenced Charles to 10 years in prison for those crimes.

While official sentencing was scheduled for April, prosecutors nolle prossed other charges Charles was facing where he was denied bond.

Officials said because he was convicted on the first set of charges that the additional charges were nolle prossed.

As a result, court documents show Charles was released from jail on Feb. 19 because “jail records did not reflect the charges of which the jury convicted defendant.”